Thomas Howerton, Sr., was born about 1670 in Rappahannock County
(old), Virginia, and was the son of the original immigrant Thomas
Howerton. The name of his mother has not been determined. It
is thought by some that about 1695 he married Mary Newball, who was the
daughter of James Newball (or, perhaps, the family name was Newbill, as
this name is found in a number of civil records from this period and later).
This presumption seems to derive from a bond made by Mary Newball and Thomas
Howerton on June 19, 1699, which secured Mary Newball as the executor of
the will of James Newball, deceased.1
In this case, one might suppose that Thomas was included in the obligation
because he was the spouse of Mary Newball. (According to common law
of the time, a woman could not enter into a binding legal obligation apart
from her husband.) However, it also would have been customary to
use a woman's married name instead of her maiden name and, moreover, to
identify the couple explicitly as husband and wife. Although not
conclusive, this would tend to indicate that Thomas Howerton and Mary Newball
were not married. Therefore, there is little credible evidence for
the marriage of Thomas Howerton and Mary Newball and in a strict sense,
the wife of Thomas Howerton, Sr., should be regarded as unknown.

Upon the death of the immigrant Thomas Howerton about 1700 and in accordance
with the law of primogeniture, which was common law prevailing at that
time, all of his lands which lay in Essex and King and Queen Counties in
Virginia, descended to his oldest son, Thomas. This being the case,
family legend further indicates that his remaining sons followed traditional
custom and went up the Rappahannock River and settled in the Spotsylvania
and Orange County area of Virginia to "seek their fortunes". (In
addition, the Howerton surname may have been changed to "Overton" in some
family groups.) It appears that Thomas Howerton, Sr., became a substantial
citizen of Essex County. Indeed, references to him can be found in
the civil records of Essex County as early as 1692.2
In 1700, he was an appointed as an appraiser of the estate of John Billington.3
In 1708 he was named a defendant in a lawsuit brought by Thomas Meriwether.4
Also, in 1724 he and John Gilby served on a jury in Essex County.5
According to family legend and tradition in several lines of his descendants
(which have been corroborated by civil records insofar as they exist),
Thomas Howerton, Sr., died in Essex County in 1740 and all his known children
were born in Essex County.

Source Notes and Citations:

1. Know all men by these presents that
we Mary Newball and Thomas Howarton are held and firmly bound unto His
Majesties Justices for the County of Essex in the sum of twenty thousand
pounds of tobacco payable in one payment whereof and unto their heirs and
administrators and assigns forever in the above stated county. On
demand we bind ourselves our heirs and administrators jointly and severally
and firmly by these presents wittness our hands and seals this nineteenth
day of June 1699. The condition of the above obligation is such that
if the above bound Mary Newball who at the Courthouse for the above said
County of Essex and day and year above stated obtained a probate of the
estate of James Newball, deceased. Shall and so from time to
time and all times hereafter for all instance and purpose and perform and
fulfill the stated will full pass and satisfy all such requirements as
therein are specified. /s/Mary (her mark) Newball /s/Thomas
Howarton Witness: Francis Merriwether, J W Boughan, Richard
Gregory (Deed Bk. 9, Essex Co., VA, pg. 341, Library of Virginia,
Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #2).)
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2. On November 19, 1692, the Essex County Court
awarded Thomas Howerton two shillings for one wolfe killed by gun.
(Order Bk. 1, Essex Co., VA, pg. 47, Library of Virginia, Richmond,
VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #1).)
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3. On September 10, 1700, Thomas Howerton
was appointed to appraise estate of John Billington. (Deeds &
Wills, Bk. 10, Essex Co., VA, pg. 54, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,
(microfilm:
roll - City and County Records #3).)
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5. On May 20, 1724, Thomas Howerton, Sr., and John
Gilby served on a jury in Essex County. In addition, presentments
were made against Thomas Howerton, Sr, and John Gilby for not frequenting
the South Farnum Parish Church. Perhaps, these accusations were made
during examination of Thomas Howerton, Sr., and John Gilby to determine
fitness for jury duty. However, on the following June 17, these presentments
against Thomas Howerton, Sr., and John Gilby were dismissed. (Order
Bk. 6, Essex Co., VA, pg. 137-8, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm:
roll - City and County Records #68).)
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